Using Skincare Products With Parabens Increases Risks For Breast Cancers

Parabens are defined as a class of bacteria that are used in 80% of beauty products in order to extend their shelf life. Due to increased demand and big-box stores, these preservatives allow for products to be sold in bulk without becoming stale, and according to the FDA, have a long history of safe use. 

In the 1990's, parabens were found to be xenoestrogens, meaning that they mimic the estrogen in the body. This kind of hormone disruption has been linked to breast cancer and reproductive issues in men. According to Phillipa Darbe, a senior lecturer in oncology and researcher in biomolecular science at the University of Reading In England; Parabens had a direct correlation to rising cases of breast cancer because of their estrogenic properties.

She states that above all else, users should steer clear of any paraben-ridden beauty item that goes near the breast, specifically deoderant. According to Dr. Darbe "She notes that research has found that roughly 55 percent of all breast cancer tumours occur in the upper outside portion of the breast, the section closest to the underarm".

 One recent Danish study also raised concerns. It showed that parabens could be detected in the blood and urine of healthy young male volunteers a few hours after paraben-containing lotions were applied to their skin. The authors concluded that since the chemicals could be absorbed, metabolised and excreted, they “could potentially contribute to adverse health effects.”

But Health Canada, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and the Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR), a U.S.-based industry-sponsored panel of experts that evaluates the safety of cosmetic ingredients, have all deemed that parabens are safe at current exposure levels. The CIR examined parabens in 1984 and again in 2005, and both times concluded that parabens at the low levels found in personal care products are not a concern. In 2005, the European Commission’s Scientific Committee on Consumer Products confirmed that the use of methyl- and ethyl-paraben is safe as regulated. It is gathering data on other parabens.

The trouble is, parabens are in literally ever single beauty product we use, and the alternatives are extremely limited and often much more expensive. So where should you really avoid them?

Men should avoid all body lotions and soaps containing parabens. While women without a family history of breast cancer may be just fine, estrogenic properties will cause much more damage to the male hormonal balance. 

For women, it is important to reduce the level of parabens in your day to day products but, if you're addicted to that lipstick or can't leave the house without a strong antiperspirant, try starting with the body lotions and soaps that you use. 

Parabens in items like body wash are particularly dangerous because they are applied when the skins pores are most open. The steam from hot showers allows for almost %50 percent more of the damaging preservatives to be absorbed into skin. This is especially dangerous if one is using the products in a bath as opposed to a shower. 

Parabens have been used thought of as safe preservatives for decades. If you have a favourite beauty product that you just can;'t part with it's probably not the end of the world, however, for any product that is going on over 80% percent of your body, it's probably a good call to try something paraben free. 

xx.

M

All Soap Stories products are organic and paraben free, you can see our full product list through our main page by clicking HERE